perks of the job

One of the great things about Mr. Incredible's job is that he (or rather his organization) gets invited to all sorts of events hosted by the various consulates in the area. As one of the agents that has been assigned the task of liasing (if that's even a word) with those folks he gets to go, which means so do I! When he came home on Friday with the news that we would be going to a reception hosted by the consulate of Qatar, I was skeptical. I am not good at small talk. With strangers, friends, doesn't matter. I just can't do it! But, ever the supporting wife, I put on my party dress and a smile and headed off to a fancy hotel to rub shoulders with Houston's finest Qatarians. It was actually a lot of fun! The food was incredible (I've decided that if we end up in the middle east I will have one happy tummy), Mr. Incredible got to practice his Arabic, and the company was charming. Apparently the diplomatic community is pretty tight knit, everyone goes to all of the same events so it's pretty friendly.

I have to say that I find the traditional Arab headgear quite regal, especially when worn by really tall men. It was pretty neat to be surrounded by them and I couldn't resist taking a picture. It's horribly blurry, but I had to be stealthy...you get the idea.

Oh Mexico

I should not have titled this post "Oh Mexico" because I now have that James Taylor song stuck in my head and I don't like it. Not even a little. Not since my brother bought the James Taylor greatest hits album and played it non-stop for several months. Blech. Moving on.

Before I even had a chance to unpack from the wedding/extended fake honeymoon, it was time to get ready for our REAL honeymoon in Mexico. My friend Kristi hooked us up with a fabulous resort in the Rivera Maya for 5ish days. An adults only gourmet all-inclusive was exactly what we needed. I have too many pictures to post, so here's a picture tour of our trip, I"ll add commentary where I see fit. You're welcome mom. (You can cease the threatening phone calls now...I kid)

We got there late Wednesday afternoon and checked out the beach and had a little fancy dinner. They're not kidding when they say it's gourmet. Too bad my idea of gourmet seems to be going to Chipotle instead of Taco Bell, but a lot of the food was a little too fancy for my tastes. Every dish looked so pretty though. In fact, I think I took more pictures of food than I did of anything else. I'll spare you all, and just show you this one:

After dinner we held hands and walked on the beach. see:

On Thursday (of thanksgiving fame) we woke up at a ridiculous hour for an all day excursion to Coba with our new friend Rodolfo, the coolest tour guide in all of Mexico. Our first stop was the old city of Coba, which is a lot like Chichen Itza, but different in that you can still climb up to the top. We did that, but I wish we had thought better of it. It was STEEP and really really HOT! At least we got a picture of us hovering above the trees:

On our way back to meet the rest of our crew, we took a Mayan taxi, which is code for a bike with a big seat for passengers in the front. Best 10 dollars I've ever spent. Here we are in action:

We then went to a little mayan community where we went ziplining over a lake (not my prettiest moment), hiked through the Mayan jungle, got blessed by a Shaman, rappelled into a ceynote, kayaked, and ate a traditional Mayan meal (all the while wearing a skirt, I'm a brilliant packer). We also learned that our friend Rudolfo sleeps in a hammock. Every night. Can you imagine? The Mayan folks took pictures of us along the way and like the suckers that we are we bought them. If I can figure out where that is, maybe I'll show you pictures. While we were busy having fun, the maids were busy doing this:

Friday was our beach day, so I went out early to claim a beach bed and some lounge chairs so we could do nothing in the best spot possible. Now I must say here that we stayed at one of the top 10 most beautiful beaches in the world, and it really was. The sand was white and soft, the ocean the prettiest shades of green and blue. Dreamy. We did a whole lot of this:

Drank lots of these:

And stared out at this:

The following day we had the morning to ourselves (see photos above for details) and I let Brian apply my sunscreen:

Big mistake! The result was this:

(possible captions: "Note to self: Buy smaller sunglasses next year" "I bet you didn't know that I moonlight as Bobo the Clown" and "A surefire way to get yourself out of sunscreen duty for the rest of your life") Do you have any to add??

That afternoon, we went on a jetskiing/snorkeling excursion. Our guide told us that because it was windy our best bet for a smooth ride was to drive fast, not slow. This would be a good time to tell you that I am not an adrenaline junkie and I would much rather do these types of things at a slow leisurely pace, as to eliminate the possibility of being thrown off into possibly shark infested waters. Well, Brian, the driver, made it a point to push this thing as fast as it could go, and take many tight curves. "Don't worry" he assured me, "I've driven a jet ski plenty of times" as I was hysterically crying and cursing behind him. Sadly the motor did not drown out my desperate cries and he heard every word, none of which were nice. Here's a picture taken during happier times i.e. right before we got in the water:

We had two snorkeling stops on that trip. One to an underground cave, and another to a ceynote. That part was fun, and I got to hold a baby starfish. Cute little thing. Trouble came when I tried to get back on the jet ski in the middle of the ocean. I lack any amount of flexibility and for the life of me could not hoist myself up. Four tries (of me stepping on our guides shoulders while he was underwater) and gashes, bruises and a knot on my shin (that is still there btw) later, I finally made it back onto that crazy beast only to resume my crying/cursing back to dry land. Needless to say, I was glad when that trip was over. Brian, of course LOVED it!

We walked on the beach at sunset and took a few pictures (which of course from this point forward are a total joke thanks to my awesome sunburn):

We had to say goodbye the next morning. What a great trip it was. So many great memories!

Secret Santa

Brian and I have been recruited by the higher ups at the church we attend to help spearhead a sort of secret santa for 30 children in our congregation whose mothers (three of whom are single parents) are struggling with cancer. Last year, they were given a 3000 dollar anonymous donation by another church in the area to use for the effort, but sadly the donation didn't come this year so we are on our own. We have enlisted our church members to help, but many of them are under similar circumstances and donating even 5 dollars is a sacrifice. While we've accepted the fact that our contribution to these families might amount to nothing more than a token gift, I would love it if we could somehow turn this into a Christmas they never forget. We have one week to gather donations (they're due by December 14) and another week to shop so we've got to kick this into high gear.

I know that many families set aside a certain amount of money each season to donate to a worthy cause or a family in need. Do you do something like that? If so, and if you do not yet have someone in mind, would you consider donating that money to help my church family? Even one dollar would help tremendously.

If it is something you'd be interested in, you can send your donation through paypal to b_hayes00 (those are zeros not oh's) (at) hotmail dot com. I'm not sure if there is a notes option, but if so, please indicate Christmas or Secret Santa so we can make sure it gets to the right place, or you can email me at anniesblog (at) gmail dot com and we'll discuss how you can help.

Thanks for indulging me by reading this! Merry Christmas.

Aaah Mexico!

I'll try to put together something a little more substantive later. In the mean time, please enjoy this picture of the clear blue Carribean Sea.

One more wedding photo

The day before the wedding, my sister took us out for a little photo shoot. Earlier I had been out running errands and saw this awesome orange wall with firey looking ivy and thought it might be an awesome backdrop, and it was! Thanks Mand, the pictures are great!

Wedding pics

Here are the pictures I found in my camera after the wedding. Some that I took, most that I didn't. Enjoy (until I can get some of the professionally taken ones back from the photographers)

Good news/bad news

Good news: I got married on Saturday and it was lovely! It's kind of strange to look over at Brian and see a ring on his finger, but I love that he's mine now, that he's my HUSBAND!

Bad news: Not too long after we checked into our amazing hotel in Park City (Dakota Mountain Lodge, stay there!) Brian got really sick. Chills, fever and so much more. It got so bad that we went to a clinic and learned that he likely had "the swine." 

Good news: We were supposed to fly home on Monday, but have extended our trip here until Thursday!

Bad news: It's because there is a risk he can spread the virus for up to 5 days so we're quarantined until then.

Good news: We have free reign of my sister's condo in Park City.

Bad news: Brian spends his time passed out on the bed upstairs while I watch tv downstairs.

Good news: This was never our "real" honeymoon. Mexico here we come!

Bad news: Provided I don't catch it. :)

Lasts and Firsts

I can count the days left until the wedding on one hand. That's crazy to me! The fact that I will be MARRIED on Saturday just isn't sinking in. Erica says it won't for another month or so. I believe her. So this week is full of lasts. The last "everything" I will do as a single woman. Then come the firsts. That's what I'm most excited about. I can't wait to begin my life with the most incredible man I've ever met. Life is good, and it's only going to get better.

Hair help!

I have left behind my beloved stylist in VA and the one I went to here in TX wasn't as awesome as I was hoping it would be (although the overpriced hair products she sold me are delicious). I can't exactly get married in my current state (I'd be cringing at those pictures for AGES to come) and am hoping that one of my (two) readers have an amazing stylist that they could recommend in the Salt Lake City area. One who perhaps specializes in short hair? Help me PLEASE!!

Delicious!

So Brian and I are doing this crazy diet cleanse thing that requires us to give up everything we're used to eating (anything fried, made of sugar, and/or found at fast food restaurants) and eat things that do not have sugar, gluten or animal products in them. Yup, we're vegans now (at least for the next few weeks). It hasn't been as hard as I thought it would be, although my body fuh-reaked out at the beginning. Three days in and I'm just now getting my energy back. We found this great brown rice bread, we have lots of fruits and veggies, and all natural peanut butter that actually looks and tastes like normal peanut butter (ditto with our fake butter). Gallo pinto is also ok to eat. Woohoo! I made the most delicious dinner tonight that I want to share...

Enchilada casserole (based on a recipe from the Cook Yourself Thin cookbook)

1. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees.
2. Take some olive oil or cooking spray and coat the bottom of a 9 x 13 pan.
3. Pour a 1/3 of a can of red enchilada sauce down on it.
4. Then put a layer of corn tortillas (6)
5. Spread 1 can vegetarian refried beans on top of the tortillas (I mixed our left over gallo pinto in the mix)
6. pour another 1/3 of the enchilada sauce
7. sprinkle a bit of cheddar cheese on top (we used fake cheese...smells like cheetos)
8. put another layer of corn tortillas
9. pour the rest of the enchilada sauce and spread as necessary to cover the tortillas
10. cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes
11. remove foil, sprinkle with more (fake) cheese and continue baking until (fake) cheese is melted
12. Eat up! We ate ours with guacamole. The best I've ever made actually. 2 avocados, the juice of one lime, one roma tomato (seeded), one serrano chile (seeded), 1/4 sweet yellow onion, salt and pepper to taste. Yummo!

reality

I should be on my way to San Francisco this weekend to run the Nike Women's Marathon with Rachel and Abbie. Instead, I got on the treadmill for the first time in several months and struggled to run one mile. So many steps backwards, 25.2 miles worth to be precise. I have lots of reasons/excuses why I haven't been running, but not one of them is a good one. I am so mad for allowing myself to get to this point. I feel disgusting, I look disgusting and I have no one to blame but myself.

I'm getting married in one month. It should be the happiest time in my life, yet in a sense I am dreading it. Not the marriage part (in fact for that I can't wait) but the fullness in my cheeks (and other parts) that will be immortalized in pictures. I have one month to change that. One month to try to undo some of the damage I've done in the past year. It might be too little, too late, but I have to try. Wish me luck.

best ever frosting

It was my handsome fiance's birthday on Saturday so I thought I'd continue my cooking streak and bake him a cake from scratch. He was kind enough to ignore the fact that it was burnt from the inside out. (I burned the chocolate mixture that goes in the batter in addition to overcooking it a little bit.) Luckily I used the most incredible chocolate frosting recipe which masked that fresh from the inferno taste, and by Sunday morning the entire cake was gone.

At the suggestion of my mom, I made extra frosting and put it in the fridge. It was brought out last night for a pre-bedtime snack and boy howdy, it was like eating fudge! Delicious! Along with milk and lean cuisines that will never be eaten, that frosting will be something you can always find in my refrigerator. At the risk of sounding like a broken record (see the gallo pinto recipe below) make this TODAY. Your life will never be the same. (And by that I mean your pants will never fit the same.)

Chocolate Fudge er. Frosting - courtesy Mom

1 stick butter
2/3 C unsweetened cocoa
3 C powdered sugar
1/3 C milk
1 t vanilla

Soften butter until it is just about to melt. Stir in mixture of sugar and cocoa. Add milk and vanilla and beat until smooth. Adjust milk to obtain desired spreadable consistency.

Head piece

Can someone show me how to make this head piece:

Or better yet make one for me? :)

photo courtesy one of the photography blogs I frequent. (I can't remember which one...)

Gallo Pinto

I've been trying my hand at cooking lately. Last week I heated up some flautas (I kid...that's not cooking), but I did make some challah french toast with homemade maple syrup, which Brian declared The Best French Toast Ever Made and then a few days ago I made an old favorite of mine, gallo pinto, a traditional rice and bean dish from Costa Rica. If you know what's good for you, you will try this dish immediately. Your life will never be the same!

Gallo Pinto

2 T canola oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 anaheim chile or jalapeno, finely chopped (optional)
3 C cooked white rice
2 C cooked black beans, drained and rinsed (i didn't drain all the way and didn't rinse...oopsie)
salt and pepper, to taste

Directions
1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat
2. Add onion and chile and saute until onion just begins to soften and change color
3. Add garlic and saute for about 5 minutes, or until onion is golden
4. Add beans and then rice to mixture
5. Combine the rice and beans evenly and cook until mixture is heated through.
6. Add salt and pepper to taste and serve hot.

Notes:
I would highly recommend adding the chile/pepper. It adds so much flavor! You can adjust the heat by removing all ribs and seeds, or if you like your mouth to feel like it's on fire, don't remove any of it. Just don't scratch your nose or eyes after handling it. Burns like a beast! I added a whole jalapeno but removed the insides from one half and it was still pretty darn spicy. Sometimes I garnish with sour cream (especially when it's super spicy) and a bit of green tabasco sauce. This can stand alone as the main course (which is how we ate it), or you can serve it with chicken I would think. Another idea, I put some left over gallo pinto, scrambled eggs, some shredded cheese and sour cream in a tortilla. Probably the best breakfast burrito I've ever had. In fact, I might have one tonight!

Hot off the press!!

recent (and not so recent) adventures

From my lack of posts, one might think that I've spent all of my free time in the last few months at home, taking advantage of my sweet 42 inch TV with 300 channels and the ability to record 4 shows simultaneously. So maybe that's not too far off the mark, but I have been able to tear myself away a few times. Here has what I've done:

Went to Utah to go to Erica and Ben's wedding, celebrate birthdays, find a wedding dress, eat babies and see Harry Potter in the flesh:

Harry Potter!!

Little C smiles. Love her piggies.

I'm melting over this photo. Isn't it the cutest thing ever? (despite the blur and white wash)

I wasn't kidding about the eating babies part...

At E&B's wedding at Solitude. Didn't get any of the bride and groom. Horrible!

Went up to Arlington (TX not VA) over Labor Day to hang out with Mr. Incredible's family and to pay Heather a surprise visit. Only picture I have is this one of a statue of Sam Houston in the middle of nowhere:

Whirlwind trip to Austin for cupcakes and dinner at the Oasis with Mr. Incredible's friends:

And in my own backyard:

Ali & Rob's wedding (no pics of this bridesmaid. The only ones I have are a little too busty for this blog)

Coolest cloud/sunset combo I've ever seen!

Flowers I bought for myself today. That thing with the black tips feels like FEATHERS. (may or may not have been the sole reason I bought them)

This weekend? Girls time in San Antonio with Tara while Mister is working hard in NYC. Can't wait!!